Saturday, September 19, 2009

A project for a day indoors

The boys have been ill (le gastro) on and off all week, and it finally hit me in time for the weekend! Sigh... We spent yesterday slobbed in front of the TV and computer, and I resolved that today should be different. My red, white and blue theme means that I need something different to hang in my windows - at the moment I have lovely green leafy garlands made of felt, but something needed to change...
While shopping in Toulouse the other week I saw some excellent garlands of circles, which included recycled paper, but appealing as this was, they were 12 euros each, so I left the shop suffering from the well known 'I could make that at home' syndrome.
Today seemed like the ideal day to turn the idea into reality, so I gathered together some bits and bobs...
... looked through our music collection, finding these beauties on the way...
... with the intention of finding some music I was prepared to cut up - this one will do - apologies to Reading University Choral Society 1988 and Nigel M. Burton.
I tried to get the boys enthused on this project, but they decided on craft projects of their own, mainly for Ben's birthday (28th Sept), so we can't show them here yet! It didn't matter of course, as long as everyone had something to do that didn't involve a screen...
I got a collection of circles together (plastic cups, biscuit cutters and a two euro piece) and started drawing, folding, cutting and sticking.
I had enough red polkadot card for 9 circles, and then I made 9 more out of plain red card with the leftovers of blue polkadot I could find.
In the shop I'd seen similar circles stitched onto parcel ribbon, but I felt I could afford to sew mine onto vintage (rayon - euch) ribbon. If you look closely in the picture below, you can see the two magazines from my giveaway already packed up in an envelope ready to post to the lucky winner next Thursday!Here is the result, which which I am quite pleased! Normally, putting something new onto the windows sends me running to clean them, but with the builders still here (note the red and white tape outside) I really can't be bothered until they've gone...While we're on the red, white and blue theme, here is a very lazy cushion which I made out of two bandanas - I didn't realise that this one was an advertising one until I unfolded it at home, but I quite like it!
If I'm not in the mood for advertising, I can always turn it around...Thinking of Sarah, I also picked up this red gingham cushion at the CS the other day. Spot the dog!
Let's end with a restrained red autumnal corner...

We're concentrating on getting well here, while Ben and his brother have a manly (and quite possibly wet) walk in the Pyrenees with Raja! Have a good weekend yourselves!

16 comments:

Michela said...

Hi Floss! What a relief to know that your boys are on the mend, I thought it was due to chocolate (yesterday I read your comment on Juanita's blog!)!
The cushion with bandanas is really a clever idea! How lovely your Singer..it may happen sometimes to see one of them in the garage among the thrifty stuff!
Enjoy your crafty weekend! I'm doing some card with CL cuts out!

Ashley said...

Great, I might steal this idea for my One a Day.

Unknown said...

Poor boys, glad they are improving though! What a busy time you have been having, love the red gingham, and polka dots! suzie. x

Pomona said...

Considering that you are a family of invalids, then I think that you have been pretty industrious. What a clever idea for cushions, too!

Pomona x

Serenata said...

Gosh you have been busy despite illness! Lovely hanger you've made. :-) Well if its got music in it, its got to be good!

Lucy Pursglove-Jones said...

Hiya Floss. Sorry to read you guys have been ill, I hope you are all on the mend. The projects you've been busy with look super! :) x

Sarah - Red Gingham said...

Oh poor you and the boys! You don't allow yourslef much time off for these things do you?!!

That gingham cushion really sets off your cushion area nicely, good shopping Floss! And great handmade cushion too.

Those hanging decorations are such a lovely way to brighten up the place. I can imagine some in Christmas colours too.

What are you having done outside at the moment? Oh I must get that recipe for you too. Will email you later today, promise!!!

Mami said...

What a poor boys on illness!! Hope they're better now.
I always bring my old French-Japanese dictionary (which i used in college) from my book shelf whenever i read your blogs.It's is good for me really waking up my brain!!
Nice hand made things!!I like colour combination of them.

Josie-Mary said...

oh poor you for feeling poorly. I like the window hanger, well it is spotty! I haven't found anytime for craty things, too busy looking at a screen! The coke cushion is great, I love coke...naughty but nice!!
Not sure if you've seen my Big Knit post, please pop over, I need more people. Maybe you could link me, very poor turn out :(
Hope you feel better soon :)

Anonymous said...

Floss-I will e mail you about our letter writing! Janie

Michela said...

Hi Floss, thank you so much for your lovely comment. Hope you will take the award, as I thought of you when I wrote "no commitments"!
How exciting the red picture on your sidebar!Can't wait to see what a big event you have planned this time! I've been setting up a little Christmassy surprise too, but sssshhh, don't tell it other bloggers yet! I will have another giveaway in just 2 posts, hope you will have the time to enter (French prize...)

Beki said...

Poor you, hope you feel better soon!
It's funny you mentioning the sail boats as i'm really loving them too at the moment. I'm trying to persuade Rich that we need the duvet cover 'hehe'. I think it's so clean and fresh looking and my argument is, that it's not flowery and girly but £64 for the cover and £15 for each pillowcase is a wee bit pricey, don't you think. Not sure I can justify that!
I think I love the cowboy because of the little man although he doesn't seem to impressed with it lol, he's more of a stanley dog kind of boy I think.
Have a great week
((hugs))
Beki xxx

BadPenny said...

you are so creative...hope the boys on the mend !

Victoria - Florence and Mary said...

Sorry to hear you've been unwell.

I love the polka dots of course and the coca cola cushions are great.

Victoria xx

Sonia said...

Love the projects. The pillows look really cute.
Hugs!!
Sonia

Tricia Rose said...

I interviewed Jan Karon at an NKF authors luncheon in San Francisco (nine authors, twice a year, what a job!) and I was practically taking notes on my cuff, this lady is a shining example. A true Steel Magnolia, graciously polite but she had thought everything through and didn't do a thing she didn't want to. People left her charmed, though she wouldn't sign their books (she had pre-printed book plates to give them), so while the other authors were frazzled, writer's-cramped and with cricks in their necks, she walked down her line ("I think people like you to look them in the eye and chat a little"), and she stayed fresh and immaculate. I had to admire her Southern brand of assertiveness.

She looks a little like Raine Spencer, and more like the ad lady she was than the farmer she is now.

Tricia ~ http://cabinonthewater.blogspot.com